Hepatitis D Virus Symptoms, Treatment

What Is Hepatitis D?

Hepatitis D, like hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, is caused by a virus. The hepatitis D virus is often simply called HDV. Like other forms of hepatitis, the hepatitis D virus causes the liver to become inflamed and presents similar symptoms.  

But hepatitis D is different from other forms because it can only infect individuals who have hepatitis B. For this reason, it is described as a "defective virus." It cannot make copies of itself, so it uses the hepatitis B virus for replication.

Like hepatitis B, hepatitis D spreads through contact with infected blood. It rarely occurs in the United States and other developed countries, and is primarily found among IV drug users. Poor hygiene may be a factor.

Hepatitis D is most common in areas around the around the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Someone with hepatitis D may be subject to two different kinds of infection. These are called "coinfection" and "superinfection."

Coinfection, as you might suspect, means you're infected with both the hepatitis B and D at the same time. In many cases, coinfection is acute but will eventually resolve by itself.

Superinfection occurs when you already have hepatitis B and then you become infected with hepatitis D. It may be acute or it can be chronic HDV.

Superinfection may be more serious because mild cirrhosis from hepatitis B can become severe and progressive cirrhosis, leading to fulminant hepatitis.

Hepatitis D symptoms Symptoms of hepatitis D resemble symptoms of other viral hepatitis diseases, but are likely to be more severe.

Presence of the hepatitis D virus can only be established with blood tests.

Once your doctor has diagnosed severe hepatitis B, he or she will probably also check for hepatitis D, Normally, this is only done if you have hepatitis B and it's progressing rapidly.

The blood tests will help determine if you have a coinfection or a superinfection.

Because the hepatitis D virus cannot replicate itself, the infection can only last as long as the hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis D treatment If you have chronic hepatitis D, your doctor will probably treat you with interferon therapy, either standard or pegylated.

Some antiviral medications that work with hepatitis B aren't effective for hepatitis D.

In the most severe cases, hepatitis D may progress to liver failure, which may require a liver transplant.

Historically, transplant cases involving hepatitis D usually bring better outcomes than for hepatitis B.

Treatment for hepatitis D may be expensive and can have side effects.

Hepatitis D vaccine There is no specific hepatitis D vaccine. The best defense against this condition is to get a hepatitis B vaccination, because you can't get hepatitis D unless hepatitis B is present. 

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